Beautiful Escape

first

"You?!"

Sabay namin sinabi ni Maki.

Medyo nagulat ata siya kasi napatalon siya sa inuupuan at napatayo.

"Medyo naguguluhan ako ah. Wait. Have we met before? Sorry, makakalimutin kasi talaga ako..."

"She's Jho. The new kid on the block." Singit ni Kianna.

"Wait, Boss, magkakilala kayo ni Tin?" Tanong niya kay Kianna.

"Uhhh... yes. Actually, long-time barkada. So... Jho pala pangalan mo. Nice to meet you again, Jho! I forgot your name kasi. "  Sagot ni Tin. Napangiti naman si Kianna at napaupo.

"You're dating her?!" Tanong ni Maki. Medyo napalakas ata boses niya kaya nagulat din ako.

"Wait, guys, it's not what you think it is. We're just having lunch together kasi..." Dali-dali naman tumayo si Tina at hinatak si Maki sa tabi niya.

Tumayo si Ella.

"Kasi... nabangga niya si Tin last Friday. This is Jho's way of making bawi. Hello nga pala guys! I'm here!!!"

"Ells!!! Omg! I didn't see you! Hahaha!" Bineso ko siya. After all, we were ex-workmates.

"As per usual, Bei! Haha! Helllooo!" Bumeso rin siya sakin at hug.

"Huh? Wait. So, Ate Ella. Wait. Kilala mo silang lahat?"

Halata pa rin sa mukha niya na she's confused with what's happening.

"Uhmmm yeah. Well basically, sa Silver Lens Media nagtatrabaho si Bea dati and Maki, she's still working there."

Umupo na kaming lahat habang naiwan na nakatayo si Jho.

"And kilala mo si Tin? Ba't sabi mo nung nagtanong ako, hindi."

"Umupo ka nga." Hinila ni Ella si Jho.

"No, di naman siya nagwo-work sa Silver Lens Media. First time ko siyang na-meet today."

Tumahimik lang siya at napatango.

"So to avoid the awkward silence, order na tayo?" Buti nalang nagsalita si Kianna.

Isa-isa na kaming nag order sa waiter at habang naghihintay ng pagkain, kanya-kanya kami ng usapan.

Jho, Ella and Kianna are talking about their latest project while Maki and Tina are arguing about something. What's new.

I, on the other hand, got nothing to do but to stare at them and observe.

Whatever they are talking about, one thing's certain...

I don't like Jho.

Ewan ko ba kung anong ginawa niya kay Kianna ba't gustong-gusto niya si Jho.

She seems calm, composed. Well, okay. But for me, she's uninteresting. Boring. And most of all, predictable. Ambilis siguro nito ma paranoid. Walang ka thrill-thrill.

Anywaaay, highway, ang tagal naman ng food. I'm hungry!!!

➖

"Ate Ells, may problema ba to si Bea sakin? Ba't ang sama makatingin?" Bulong ko kay Ate Ella.

"Ay, wala. Wala yan. Ganyan talaga mukha niyan mukhang galit pag di nakangiti...

...Orrr baka galit nga sa'yo kasi binangga mo si Tina. Hala kaaaa! Lagot ka ngayon kay Beaaa!"